Cupcake cravings: Two Little Red Hens

You’ve heard them. The jaded, cynical, lost-all-sense-of-what-is-right-in-the-world foodies who scoff, “cupcakes are so last year,” and, “ugh, I’m so over cupcakes,” every time they pass by bakery windows filled with pastel swirls of buttercream.

From l-r: Brooklyn Blackout and Chocolate Peanut Butter. Coconut in the back.

Don’t do it. Don’t lose that sense of wonder that you get each time you bite into the perfect portable dessert, which, unlike full-sized cakes, give you the quintessential combination of frosting and cake in every bite.

It’s understandable; you probably went on a huge cupcake rampage back when you first discovered Magnolia, or Baked, or maybe even Crumbs. Perhaps you ate so many that you—quelle horreur—got sick of dessert.

I hereby guarantee that the Brooklyn Blackout (delicate chocolate cake filled with rich chocolate pudding, topped off with a heap of thick fudge frosting.), the Peanut Butter (which tastes like the world’s largest Reese’s cup), or the Coconut (spongy angel food cake with fresh-from-the-beach coconut cream.), will make you believe in cupcakes again. Each is just the right size—more than a mouthful, but still small enough to hold comfortably without feeling you’re being dwarfed by a baked good.

Sure, it’s a bit of a trek to the east side. But hey, it’s almost reading week. Hop on that crosstown bus at 84th, and venture into this miniscule, Americana and poultry themed bakery. There probably won’t be enough seating for you and your study group, but grab a few cupcakes (and a slice of the cheesecake–better than Eileen’s,and perhaps even Junior’s.) to go. Revel in the rebirth of your tastebuds.